Today we celebrate International Translation Day 2016. It takes place every year on September 30th on the feast of St. Jerome, the Bible translator who is considered the patron saint of translators.
Here 4 Little-known Facts About Translation:
1- Origin of the word “Translation”
The English word “translation” derives from the Latin translatio (which itself comes from trans- and from fero—together meaning “a carrying across” or “a bringing across”).
2- Most Translated Book
It is often thought that the bible is the most translated book but it is partly true if we consider partial translations. However, the most translated book as a whole is a book called “Listen to God and Live Forever”, a 2011 publication by the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
3- Most Translated Authors
The UNESCO keeps a list of the most translated authors of fiction and the top 5 are :
Agatha Christie
Jules Vernes
William Shakespeare
Enid Blyton
Barbara Cartland
4- Celebration of international translation day
It was first celebrated by the International Federation of Translators (FIT) in 1953 as the day of translators and it isn’t until 1991 that it officially became an international Translation Day.
